The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-01-07

preston of courage ] saw there de-
cided me to tell her the whole truth
and acquaint her fully with our peril
Gus situation.
"There is plenty to trouble me-"
answered. ''You know the men have
mutinicd, and that my position is a
difficult one. have to be careful how
I act. both for my sake and yours.
| ''fes. know that" she said, keep
ing her clear and thoughtful eyes on
me. s.But then you said you did not
fear that the men would be violent
again, and that they would leave US on
board this ship when we were near
New Orleans"
Il will not conceal that have heard
something just now which has affected
me very much" said to her. xviii
you step into my cabin? We can tall,
there without being SEEM" l added,
having observed Stevens walk along
the main deck. and expecting that he
! would return in Il few moments to his
cabin, it being his watch below.
She followed me in silence, and
closed the door.
Il will tell You in few words, at
once began. ..what l heard Just now.
told the boatswain that questioned
whether tie men would let me land
! with them. for fear of the evidence
could give. He replied that he had
gathered from the carpenter. while ut
! breakfast, that the men intended to
seuttle the ship when they quilted her.
, and to leave US on board"
ITO drown?'
"That is their idea
She pursed up her mouth tightly
and pressed her hand to her forehead.
That was all. Whatever emotion my
statement inspired was hidden. She
/ said. in low voice:
They are fiends, I did not think
them so cruel. My poor father
This is what am told they mean
to do; and know Stevens to be a ruff
| fan. and that lie win carry out his
project if he can. l have spent some
time alone here in irving to think how
we can save ourselves. As Yet | see
no remedy. Bat watt l said; ''it viii
take us three weeks. sailing well every
day, to reach the Gulf of Mexico. l
have this time before me. and in that
time not only something must, but
something shall. be done"
She did not answer.
Il will hazard nothing; viii venture
no risks. What resolve to do must
be effectual,' went on. 'because nv
life is dearer to me now than it was
three days ago, fory your and ycurfather'
sake. You must be saved from the
ruffians. but no risk must attend Your
deliverance. This is why see no es-
cape before Us as get. but it viii come
it will come! Despair is very fruit
full in expedieuts. and am not beaten
because find myself flung like 4 dog
in a hole,''
She looked up at this, and said:
''What is to be done?'
II must think.
II will think. too. We need not tell
papa?' she added. toning her voice to
\ question, with an appealing Look in
her eyes.
mo, certainly not Remember. we
are not supposed to question the mems
honest intentions toward us. We must
appear utterly ignorant"
Are they armed?" she inquired.
NO
She cast her eyes round the cabin
and said: '.Have you no guns?'
"No'hing but pistol. But though
we had twenty guns. we have no hands
to use them. So far Is l know vet,
there is no man that would stand with
me-not even the boatswain-u unless he
were sure We should conquer the ruff
fans
Gould 1 not use pistol' All,
remember, You have only one"
Just then a step sounded along the
cuddy The CABIN door was pushed
open roughly. and Stevens walked in.
He stared at Miss Robertson, and cried:
Sorry to interrupt. Didn't know
you was here. ma'am. Pm sure. I
thought" addressing me. Il should
find YOU turned in. I've come to have
look at that chart o. yours. How
long Eye make it to New Orleans?"
About three weeks"
''Well. there's livestock enough for
three weeks anyways. I've Just told
the cook to stick one of them porkers.
Ali hands has fancy for roast pork
to-day. Sarvant, miss. You was
pretty nigh drowned. l think"
My father and 1 owe our lives to
the noble fellows in this ship. They
must be brave and good men to risk
their lives to save ours" she answered,
with smile of touching sweetness,
looking frankly into the face of the
misereant who stood, cap on head. be-
fore her.
..Lor' bless yerr' he exclaimed:
''there wasn't no risk. I'd ha' swum
the distance in such sea for five shiil-
ing"
She shook her head with another
smile Il judged the effort this piece of
acting cost her). As she said:
Il know that English sailors always
undervalue their good deeds. But
happily my father is rich man. and |
when you land us he will take care that
no man On board this ship shall COM
plain of his gratitude
s.Ch. he's rich.r exclaimed the car |
penter. rs though struck with i new idea. |
Every rich"
How rich might he be, ma'ama"
.'Well, he owned the ship that YOU
saved US fron-cargo and ship
She could not have offered = better |
illustration of her fathers wealth to |
the man. for he would appreciate tie
value of q vessel of that size.
"And what do You think he'll give |
the men-them as saved him. sup
pose?"
'.Oh, he won't make any difference.
He is indebted to You all, for have
heard that the Captain would not have
stopped for Us, had he not been obliged
to DO so by the crew."